Coldcard
Coinkite Inc.
Coldcard, made by Canada's Coinkite, is the reference hardware wallet for Bitcoin-only holders: its firmware is Bitcoin-only and built for fully air-gapped use, signing transactions offline via microSD (or QR on the Q model) without ever plugging the device into a computer. It uses two secure elements from different vendors (Microchip ATECC608 and Maxim DS28C36B) to protect the seed. The current lineup includes the Coldcard Mk5 (≈€159, successor to the Mk4) and the Coldcard Q (≈€230) with a QWERTY keyboard, QR scanner and AAA batteries for fully offline operation.
Data & conditions
| Fund custody | Self-custody (funds in your control) |
|---|---|
| Type | Hardware (cold storage) |
| Source code | Partly open-source |
| Recovery | Seed phrase 12/24 parole (BIP-39); backup cifrato su microSD |
| Bitcoin-only | Yes |
| Supported chains | Bitcoin |
| Price | €159 |
| Secure element | Yes |
| Air-gapped | Yes |
| Connectivity | USB-C, NFC, microSD, QR |
| Companion app | Mempool / Sparrow / Electrum (PSBT) |
| Built-in swap | No |
| Built-in staking | No |
| Segment | B2C |
| MiCA / License status | Nessuna (hardware wallet self-custody) |
Plans & pricing
Strengths
- Bitcoin-only with focused firmware; fully air-gapped use via microSD/QR; two secure elements from different vendors; Q model with QWERTY, QR scanner and AAA batteries.
- Self-custody: funds stay in your wallet — the platform cannot touch them.
- No KYC: usable without identity verification.
- Self-hostable: you can run your own instance or node.
Weaknesses
- Bitcoin-only (no multi-asset support); steep learning curve aimed at advanced users; Q priced above average; open-source firmware under a non-standard licence.
- No notable sovereignty drawback documented.
Verdict
Score 4.4/5, very strong profile. In its favour: bitcoin-only with focused firmware; fully air-gapped use via microSD/QR; two secure elements from different vendors; Q model with QWERTY, QR scanner and AAA batteries. The trade-off to weigh: bitcoin-only (no multi-asset support); steep learning curve aimed at advanced users; Q priced above average; open-source firmware under a non-standard licence.
On the Sovereignty lens the score is 4.3/5 (very strong): the strength is fund control (5.0/5), while trustless / auditability (2.5/5) is the weak link.
Promp's editorial rating based on real fees and net annual cost. Promp reviews third-party products independently.
"Sovereignty" rating: score computed on privacy/anonymity (30%), fund control (20%), censorship resistance (20%), trustless/auditability (20%) and costs (10%). Same data, different weights.
FAQ
How much does a Coldcard cost?
The Coldcard Mk5 costs about €159 ($169.94 on Coinkite's official store), while the Coldcard Q, with QWERTY keyboard and QR scanner, costs about €230 ($249.21).
Does Coldcard support coins other than Bitcoin?
No: Coldcard is Bitcoin-only by design. The firmware is dedicated to Bitcoin alone to reduce the attack surface and stay focused on security.
Is Coldcard air-gapped?
Yes: it can run fully offline by signing transactions via microSD, or via QR on the Q model, without ever connecting to a computer. It also uses two secure elements from different vendors.
Sources
- Official service page Coldcard Q · QR · QWERTY · Batterie Data verified on Jun 20, 2026
- blog.coinkite.com Mk5 sostituisce Mk4 · Secure element Data verified on Jun 20, 2026
- store.coinkite.com Prezzo usd · Modelli · Connettivita · Air gapped Data verified on Jun 20, 2026